Gay Cologne Cologne City Guide City Guides > Germany > Gay Cologne Cologne Claudia SchwarzKnown as the ‘other’ gay capital of Germany, Cologne is the less obvious – yet in no way inferior – gaycation destination of choice. An easy-going city reminiscent of Southern Europe whenever the sun comes out, Cologne boasts an entirely unique architectural landscape where the meandering alleyways of the Old Town lead towards post-war industrial districts revamped with trendy artisan offerings and café culture for days. Enjoy the city’s hearty speciality of Himmel und Erde alongside a crisp locally crafted Kölsch Beer, before exploring along the Rhine to find Roman relics, a renowned cathedral and endless museums and art galleries. With Carnival and Bear Pride in winter as well as the main Pride and Fetish Pride in the summer, Cologne is bound to keep you entertained all year round particularly in the gay nightlife hubs on Schaafenstrasse and around the Heumarkt area. Wondering what to do in Cologne? Put your faith in our definitive Cologne gay city guide. Feel like getting away? Take a trip planned just for you, and let us do all the work. Discover Trip Design Hotels Things to do Things to see Food & Drink Shopping Nightlife Trip Design The best hotels in CologneLet’s kick off our Cologne gay travel guide with a roundup of the best places to stay. THE QVEST hideaway is an ideal top choice, located in a beautifully restored neo-Gothic building that gives off a cathedral-like atmosphere while the inside comes fitted with simple and minimalistic styles inspired by fifties and sixties classics. Located in the heart of Cologne’s Old Town, just minutes from the best Cologne points of interest and the top bars, cafés and restaurants, this luxury hotel is a stylish escape serving up a great breakfast every morning at the on-site restaurant. Another conveniently placed five-star gem is the Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom, directly across from the Cologne Cathedral. In addition to elegant rooms and award-winning cuisine, the Excelsior has been family-run since 1863, giving the feeling of homely luxury throughout its spacious rooms. Aside from its Michelin-starred French restaurant, guests can also try the Excelsior’s Asian fusion restaurant and live piano bar before relaxing in the gym and sauna.On the banks of the Rhine lies Art’otel Cologne, nicely placed in the historic city centre just five minutes from the gay scene around the Heumarkt. As well as minimalistic, spacious rooms, this artsy hotel’s facilities include an outdoor terrace, sauna, library and international restaurant. Over on a side street of the Old Town, close to all the best Cologne sightseeing sites, is the Stern am Rathaus, offering modern design, a breakfast buffet and café. If being close to Cologne’s gay scene is a top priority, the Steigenberger Hotel Köln may tempt you, located as it is just five minutes from the top Schaafenstrasse gay bars; IRON, Die Mumu and ExCorner. With many of its spacious rooms featuring stunning views over the city, the Steigenberger is a four-star beauty, complete with a restaurant serving up a daily buffet breakfast and a bistro bar for late-night hydration and snacks. Excelsior Hotel Ernst am Dom Stern am Rathaus | Photo: Anna WagnerThank you for reading Mr Hudson.Subscribe to City Guides or log in to continue reading. Subscribe now Log inSpecial SelectionExclusive Mr Hudson offersOut now from gestaltenMr Hudson Explores Browse the Book Explore more Sydney City GuideSydney has come a long way from the mass arrests at the first annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade a generation ago, which has since become a world-famous event attracting hundreds of thousands of participants, To access this content, you must purchase City Guides subscription. Explore > The top 10 instagrammable places in NYCThough New York looks good from many angles, with classic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park to keep your eyes twinkling, it’s the smaller, quirkier gems that have us newly excited upon getting re-lost in the world’s number one concrete jungle. Read story > The best hotel bars in EuropeOnce considered little more than practical pit stops following afternoon shopping sprees and night-time misadventures, style-savvy hotel bars have since re-emerged as the places to be seen and linger. Read story > Subscribe to our newsletterYou can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Sign up for exclusive insider promotions SIGN UPBe the first to receive exclusive luxury travel offers and special promotions by subscribing to our newsletter.